EIP 31

They hadn’t seen each other for a few days, and the atmosphere between them felt even more intimate. Yong Jin’s hand brushed gently over Zhou Jun’s brow, moving slowly as if sketching his features, tracing every detail of his face. Something shifted inside Zhou Jun. The warmth of Yong Jin’s presence, even just his scent, left him lightheaded with desire.

He sat up on the bed, and Yong Jin stubbed his cigarette out in the ashtray by the bedside. His fingers trailed along Zhou Jun’s neck, threading into his hair, pulling him slightly closer. Zhou Jun leaned in, thinking Yong Jin might kiss him, but instead, Yong Jin simply wrapped an arm around his waist, holding him steadily, breathing in the scent along his neck.

The cold tip of his nose met the warmth of Yong Jin’s lips. The stark contrast of sensations sent a shiver down Zhou Jun’s spine. He reached up to grasp Yong Jin’s chin, tilting his face slightly to seek out his lips. When their mouths connected again, Zhou Jun let out a pleased hum, eagerly slipping his tongue inside.

Gradually, their positions shifted, and Yong Jin found himself pinned against the headboard by Zhou Jun’s embrace.

Zhou Jun’s nightgown slipped down to reveal part of his waist. Yong Jin’s long fingers kneaded at his sides a couple of times before venturing lower, reaching his sensitive place. Zhou Jun shuddered and instinctively arched his back like a cat trying to evade the touch. But it was too late; Yong Jin’s hand slipped under his clothing.

As the already sensitive area was stimulated, Zhou Jun squinted slightly, breathing heavily.

“You came to my house just to steal someone, didn’t you?”

Yong Jin’s ascetic expression was laced with seriousness. Not content with just touching, he lifted Zhou Jun’s clothes and buried his head inside. The rose-colored nipple was sucked loudly as it ended up in someone else’s mouth.

This was clearly not an appropriate place for intimacy. As Yong Jin surfaced from beneath the clothes, he kneaded Zhou Jun’s waist and hips. His lips, flushed from exertion, moved as he asked, “Are you staying away from the apartment to avoid me?”

Zhou Jun found himself drawn to Yong Jin’s mouth. He rubbed his thumb over his lips and replied, “I’m not avoiding you. It’s just that my brother told me to stay home.”

Yong Jin raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased. “A week is long enough.”

Zhou Jun found the combination of indignation and rare childlike innocence on his face amusing. “Do you know why my brother grounded me?”

“It’s because of me.”

Zhou Jun was momentarily speechless and didn’t want to admit it. “Major, don’t flatter yourself; it’s not because of you.”

Yong Jin wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him. “It can only be because of me,” he said.

Zhou Jun buried his face in Yong Jin’s neck, suppressing his laughter for a moment before lifting his head and asking. “How did you get in here?”

Yong Jin had sneaked in to see him, but Zhou Jun wasn’t narcissistic enough to think it was solely for him that Yong Jin took the risk. It was probably more about the Zhou family’s business dealings with foreigners. Just moments ago, as they were entwined, Zhou Jun had quietly explored Yong Jin’s body, hoping to find a clue. But Yong Jin showed no interest in undressing or responding in kind. If he had, Zhou Jun might have discovered something—perhaps a miniature recorder or some other hidden device.

The doubt tormented him, mingled with pleasure and enjoyment. The greater the danger, the stronger the attraction. Zhou Jun felt he was playing with fire, wondering how he had gotten entangled with this man. He couldn’t find the answers, as Yong Jin only said he had come because he missed him, refusing to elaborate on how he had managed to enter.

Zhou Jun couldn’t help but clutch at Yong Jin’s shirt. He was thinking that he should mention to his sister-in-law tomorrow that they needed more people to guard the house. But then he thought about how pleasing Yong Jin’s skin and scent were, and how he might not have another chance to enjoy them after tomorrow. He wanted to hold on to this moment just a little longer, until he couldn’t anymore.

As Yong Jin prepared to leave, Zhou Jun tugged on his shirt and his fingers brushed against the iron chain of a pocket watch. He grasped the cold circular disk and pulled it from Yong Jin’s pocket. The intricate watch face was engraved with the character for “Jin,” and he traced it gently with his fingertip. Noticing Zhou Jun’s interest, Yong Jin detached the chain and pressed the watch into Zhou Jun’s hand.

Zhou Jun understood that this was a gesture of gifting, so he accepted it. He recalled that during his previous relationships, he had given many gifts, but none had ever come from his own body like this. After all, for women, it was easy to just buy something from a store. Taking off a personal item and giving it away carried an unspoken significance that couldn’t be easily defined.

Yet Yong Jin offered it so casually, without even mentioning its origin. His nonchalant demeanor was like plucking a flower and handing it to him, conveying a light and insubstantial affection. Zhou Jun tightened his grip on the pocket watch and tucked it under his pillow, alongside the knife. It was getting late, and as Yong Jin stood up to straighten his clothes, Zhou Jun felt an emptiness settle in his heart. The warmth that had lingered beside him vanished, leaving a chill that seeped into his clothes.

He followed Yong Jin to the window, wanting to see how he would slip out of the Zhou household. Would it be as awkward as when he had fallen from upstairs? But Yong Jin nimbly climbed out, landing effortlessly on the edge. He glanced back at Zhou Jun, who was leaning against the window with his collar hanging loose, and called out,
“Come here.”

Zhou Jun lazily opened his eyes a bit wider, thinking Yong Jin had more to say. Obediently, he moved closer.

To Zhou Jun’s surprise, Yong Jin bit down hard on his lip, the force so fierce that a droplet of blood immediately welled up. Zhou Jun instinctively covered his mouth, startled and speechless. As he saw Yong Jin jump down without hesitation, he inhaled sharply, feeling more shock than anger. Leaning out just enough to catch a glimpse, he fixed his gaze on Yong Jin’s retreating figure.

Fortunately, Yong Jin didn’t jump carelessly. He deftly found several footholds and landed safely on the ground. It wasn’t until he disappeared into the shadows that Zhou Jun let out a long sigh of relief. He glanced around to ensure the coast was clear before quietly closing the window and returning to bed.

Taking out the pocket watch once more, he opened the lid and discovered a series of small engraved words inside.

“Gifted to Jin Er on July 12.”

—Xiao Qinshi

Zhou Jun abruptly snapped the lid shut, feeling a surge of anger. The name was clearly that of a woman. He had been so foolish, thinking that this casually given item from Yong Jin was something special, when it might have just as easily been a gift from someone else. Moments ago, he had felt a sense of joy at receiving something so personal, but now, holding the pocket watch, his eyes blazed with indignation.

Yet he didn’t discard it carelessly. Instead, he tucked it back under his pillow. Lying there, he listened to the soft ticking sound and reassured himself that it was still a gift given to him, far better than the first present he had received, which he still wore around his ankle. This pocket watch was undoubtedly more valuable, adorned with precious stones, and the chain was a heavy gold link.

Despite his efforts to reassure himself, Zhou Jun had a restless night. When he came downstairs for breakfast the next morning, he looked somewhat haggard. Coupled with the scab on his lip, his sister-in-law immediately noticed and exclaimed, “What happened to you last night?”

Zhou Jun glanced over at his older brother. Zhou Yan, holding a newspaper, turned his attention to his younger brother after hearing his wife’s voice.

As soon as their eyes met, Zhou Yan quickly averted his gaze in disdain. Zhou Jun touched his lips and replied, “I might just be a bit overheated.”

Zhou Yan shot him another glance before setting down the newspaper and sipping his porridge, ready to leave. After seeing her husband off, his sister-in-law returned with a cheerful smile. “Your brother just asked me to prepare some herbal tea for you. It seems like he’s cooling off.”

Zhou Jun nodded, but suddenly a thought struck him, and he asked his sister-in-law,
“Do you know Xiao Qinshi?”

She brushed back a strand of hair and looked puzzled. “The name sounds familiar, but I can’t quite place it.”

Since she couldn’t recall, Zhou Jun decided not to press further. Just as he was about to finish his porridge, his sister-in-law clapped her hands and exclaimed, “I knew it sounded familiar! Isn’t Xiao Qinshi the wife of Governor Yong?!”

Zhou Jun spat out all the porridge he had in his mouth, ruining the entire table of food.